Bag vibrator



May 23, 1967 J. R. FOSTER 3,320,725

BAG V IBRATOR Filed Aug. 17, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet l /Nl EN7'0 JAMES A? FOSTER BYWX Arron/75x J. R. FOSTER May 23, 1967 BAG VI BRATOR 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 17, 1965 v mm M MW w F .v momxfl p: m Y 5 United States Patent 3,320,725 BAG VIBRATOR James R. Foster, Webster City, Iowa, assignor to Robert L. Sampson, Webster City, Iowa Filed Aug. 17, 1965, Ser. No. 480,282 4 Claims. (Cl. 55-283) This invention relates to improvements in built-in vacuum cleaning systems for buildings and homes and more particularly is concerned with a novel and efficient means to free the filter bags in such systems from dust between operating cycles in order to provide for a greater air flow through such bags.

The type of vacuum system to which this invention is applied includes suitable apparatus for creating vacuum pressure which may be located in a remote place such as a basement, garage or the like and from which suitable conduits are run to selected locations or plug-in outlets in the building walls. A flexible hose with suitable dirt retrieving attachments is attached to any outlet and dirt is drawn into a suitable container for that purpose asso ciated with the vacuum apparatus at said remote location. No invention is claimed in the general concept described as such built-in vacuum systems have long been employed commercially and to a limited extent in private homes Where their advantage in eliminating the necessity for moving vacuum cleaning machines from room to room and between different levels in a building or home is quite apparent.

Such vacuum systems as referred to, generally include a filter bag into which dirt is drawn for purposes of settling the dust as the dirt falls into a suitable container. Microscopic particles of dirt and dust will filter through the bag and in some systems of the type referred to, such particles may be vented outside of the building. Accordingly, one of the important objects contemplated by this invention is the provision of a novel vibrator means attached in its entirety to the filter bag for shaking such bag in order to free it from dirt and dust and thus permit a greater air flow through such bags in the venting of dirt and dust particles to the outside. In addition, the bag is so attached to the vacuum pressure apparatus that it is in effect inflated and elevated under suction pressure and upon the cessation of such pressure, the bag settles to as to turn substantially inside out and during this interval, the vibrator settles with the bag and its vibrating action more effectively releases the dirt from the bag as such bag folds and crinkles in the settling process.

More particularly it is an object herein to provide a bag vibrating means of the above class which is electrically actuated and operates automatically when the main vacuum pressure creating apparatus is deactuated.

A further object is to provide for a predetermined time interval of operation of the bag Vibrating means so that it operates automatically for an adequate period between each cycle of operation of the main system.

To attain these objects and such further objects as may appear herein, or be hereinafter pointed out, reference is made to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the vacuum pressure apparatus and dirt receptacle of a built-in vacuum cleaning system as characterized and shown mounted to a building wall to illustrate one form of installation,

FIG. 2 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of FIG. 1 and showing the position of the filter bag and my new vibrating mechanism when the main system is inoperative,

FIG. 3 is similar to FIG. 2 but showing the position of the filter bag and vibrating mechanism when the main system is in operation,

FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional .view of the filter bag vibrating mechanism which is the principal novel feature in this invention, and

FIG. 5 is a wiring diagram of the circuitry used with this invention.

Referring to the drawings, a vacuum pressure power unit is designated generally by the numeral 10 and as seen in FIG. 1 it comprises a cylindrical tank 12 where for purposes of illustration it is shown aflixed to a building wall 14 as by the brackets 16. Unit 10 is designed to create a vacuum pressure in a well known manner and for this purpose, a motor 18 with a twenty-four volt transformer 19 is mounted on a suitable platform 20 in the upper portion of tank 12 as best seen in FIGS. 2 and 3. The bottom portion 22 of tank 12 defines a dirt receptacle which is removable as by the clip members 24 and a capped inlet 26 communicates with the interior of tank 12 just above the receptacle portion 22. Also comm unicating with the interior of tank 12 on the same plane as inlet 26 is the fixed suction conduit or duct 27 which may be extended through the walls of a building in a well known manner to 'any desired area or areas and terminate in such areas in a capped inlet the same as inlet 26 that may be located on the baseboard or any suitable Wall surface. In the upper portion of tank 12, an exhaust conduit 28 is provided which is preferably vented to the :outside through wall 14 as seen in FIG. 1. No invention is claimed in unit 10 per so since the features so far described are known and have been used previously in What I referred to above as a built-in vaouum cleaning system for buildings and homes. It will also be understood, that flexible hoses with suitable dirt retrieving attachments (not shown) will be employed with unit 10 and are connectible to the suction conduit or duct system 27 by means of a wall plug inlet 30 (FIG. 5) which I have improved as will later become apparent and which is a part of the general overall assembly of each capped inlet 26.

An open tip filter bag 32 is also a part of unit 10 and is installed within tank 12 with the open top secured thereto just above the inlet 26 as seen in FIGS. 2 and 3. It is to this bag 32 that I have added the novel improvement of a vibrating assembly designated generally by the numeral 34 and which I shall now describe.

A container 36 may be of any suitable type and as best seen in FIG. 4 may be similar to an ordinary paint can having the grooved shoulder 38 around its open top end 40 to receive the lid 42 which is provided with the circular bead or lip 44 for tight nesting engagement in groove 38 in a well known manner. A clamping plate 46, with the rolled edge 48 to prevent damage to bag 32, is placed in juxtaposition to lid 42 with the closed end of bag 32 inbetween and a small electric motor 50 with an eccentrical load 52 on the shaft 54 is hung from lid 42 and plate 46 by the spaced bolt units 56 so that such motor 50 and container 36 will be positioned relative to the inoperable and operable status of unit 10 as seen in the respective FIGS. 2 and 4.

The power supply cord 58 to motor 50 extends through an air tight grommet 60 in lid 42, bag 32 and plate 46 and is long enough to permit free movement of the bag 32 to the bottom of receptacle 22 as will later be referred to in more detail. A pressure equalizing hole 62 is provided in plate 46 with a like registering hole 64 in lid 42 and since bag 32 passes between holes 62 and 64, it serves as a filter to keep dust out of the otherwise air tight container 36. Thus far described, it will be appre ciated that operation of motor 50 will agitate and shake the bag 32 because of the eccentric 52 and while I have preferably used the eccentric vibrator as disclosed, it will be understood that other forms of well known vibrating mechanisms such as solenoids and the like may be employed without departing from the principles of this invention.

Refenring now to FIG. which shows the circuitry used with unit 10, a standard 115 v. circuit 66 is employed for the motors 18 and 50 which are connected as shown, such circuit being provided with the circuit breaker 68 for motor protection and a manually operable momentary switch 70 for motor 50. The wall inlet 30, to which the actual cleaning hose will be attached in a well known manner and which can be located at any desired place remote from unit 10, will be connected to inlet 26 by conduit (not shown) mounted usually within the building wall as is well known, is provided with the contacts 72 and 74 so that when the suitable cleaning hose is attached to inlet 30,'it closes circuit 66 through transformer 19 whereby relay 76 is energized with the following results. Switch 78 is moved from engagement with contact 80 into engagement with contact 82 to close the circuit to motor 18 and start such motor in operation. At the same time, current flows to the bi-metal time delay switch 84 which warp under heat to close switch 86 to the vibrator motor 50 that at this point is not receiving power from circuit 66 because of the open contact 80.

When the hose coupling (not shown) is withdrawn from inlet 30, relay 76 is de-energizing causing switch 78 to move away :from contact 82 (thus stopping motor 18) and into engagement with contact 80 to start motor 50. With relay 76 de-energized, current no longer flows to the time delay switch 84 which is designed to take approximately two minutes to cool sufficiently to resume its normal shape and permit switch 86 to open and stop the vibrator motor 50. A manually operable auxiliary switch 88 may be provided for closing contacts 72 and 74 if desired. With this invention constructed as described, it will operate in the following manner.

Operation Tank unit 10, as indicated, is preferably located in a basement or garage or other remote place where any noise from operation of motors 18 and 50 are not normally heard at'the point of use of the attachments. Suitable inlets 30'are located at selected points so-that with a tairly long attachment hose which I preferably provide in approximatelytwenty-nine foot lengths, one inlet may serve for several rooms. sary to vacuum any area is the hose with a selected attachment so that no heavy items need be transported from room to room or between different levels. When unit is inactive, the position of the bag 32 with attached vibrator 34 is shown in FIGURE 2 where it is noted the bag is limp and generally settled in the bottom receptacle portion 22 of tank 12. If there is an accumulation of dirt in receptacle 22 as shown, the container 36 of the vibrator assembly 34 will rest thereon. Upon actuation of unit 10 by the plugging in of any attachment hose to an inlet 30, the bag 32 with vibrator 34 attached, is in eifect inflated and elevated as shown in FIGURE 3 since the air flow through the conduit 27 will enter tank 12 as shown. in FIGURE 1 which is below the point of attachment of bag 32 to such tank. Dust that filters through bag 32 is discharged to the outside through the exhaust 28 and immediately upon the removal of the hose from inlet 31 bag 32 and vibrator 34 attached thereto being no longer held upright by a sustained air flow, begin to slowly settle back to the position of FIGURE 2 and the bag 32 is shaken by the vibrating mechanism 34 as described for approximately two minutes to tree it from dust and dirt particles. During this settling process it will be appreciated that the bag is in effect turned inside outresulting in a folding and crinkling thereof which tends to eifectively loosen any dirt adhering thereto and the cotemporaneous action of the vibrator 34 thus results in a more thorough and efficient dirt extraction from the bag than other devices of this type. Thus, while a clean- All the equipment that is neces-.

ing hose is being moved from one inlet 30 to another, for example, bag 32 will be thoroughly shaken. In addition, the vibrator may be manually activated by closing and opening switch 88. Also, since vibrator 34 is actuated by a sepanate motor 50, the time cycle for the vibrating action can be selectively determined.

Fromthe foregoing, it can be appreciated that the vibrating mechanism 34 is most useful and efficient in keeping the filter bag free of dust so that a greater air flow can be maintained therethrough. Accordingly, from the foregoing it is thought a full understanding of the construction and operation of this invention will be hadand the advantages of the same appreciated.

It will be understood that the phraseology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not for limitation and that modifications and changes can be made within the scope of what is claimed, without departing from the spirit and purpose thereof.

I claim:

1. In a fixedly positioned vacuum cleaning apparatus adapted to be connected to conduits to different areas of a building and said apparatus including a vacuum pressure mechanism for drawing dirt and dust into a receptacle and a filter bag associatediwith said receptacle, the

combination therewith of:

an electric circuit,

an electric motor in said circuit to operate said vacuum pressure mechanism,

an electrically operable vibrator attached solely to said bag, the actuation and deactuation of said vacuum pressure mechanism acting respectively to inflate and deflate said bag whereby said vibrator moves with'said bag during inflation and deflation,

a first switch for opening and closing said circuit to said electric motor,

a time switch connected to said vibrator,

a second switch in said circuit operatively connected to said time switch and saidfirst switch,

means causing theopening of said first switch to act on said second switch for closing said circuit to said vibrator through said time switch, and

said time switch acting after a selected predetermined said bag being an open top bag and secured at said I open top to said receptacle so that when said vacuum pressure mechanism is inoperative,,said bag is limp and extended into said receptacle,

an electrically operated vibrator attached solely to the closed end of said bag,

the actuation of said vacuum pressure mechanism acting upon said bag to inflate it and to elevate it with saidvibrator attached thereto relative to said receptacle,

upon the deactuation ofsaid vacuum pressure mechanism, said bag and vibrator settling back into said receptacle,

means acted upon by the cessation of operation of said vacuum pressure mechanism to actuate said vibrator during said settling, and

means to deactuate said vibrator after a predetermined time interval.

3. In a fixedly positionedvacuum cleaning apparatus adapted to be connected by conduits to different areas of a building and said apparatus including a vacuum pressure mechanism for drawing dirt and dust into a receptacle and a filter bag associated with said receptacle, the combination therewith of:

an electrically operated vibrator mechanism attached solely to said bag,

said vibrator mechanism including a separate vibrator motor,

the actuation and deaotuation of said vacuum, pressure mechanism acting respectively to inflate and deflate said bag whereby said vibrator moves with said bag during inflation and deflation means acted upon by the cessation of operation of said vacuum pressure mechanism to actuate said vibrator motor, and

means to automatically deactuate said vibrator motor after a predetermined time interval.

4. In a vacuum cleaning apparatus having a vacuum pressure mechanism for drawing dirt and dust into a receptacle, the combination therewith of:

an open top bag secured at said open top to said receptacle so as to intercept any dirt drawn into said receptacle,

an electrically operated vibrator attached solely to the closed end of said bag,

the actuation and deactuation of said vacuum pressure mechanism acting respectively to inflate and deflate said bag whereby said vibrator moves with said bag during inflation and deflation,

means acted upon by the cessation of operation of said vacuum pressure mechanism to actuate said vibrator while said bag is being deflated, and

means to selectively deactuate said vibrator after a predetermined time interval.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 5/1923 Lumley 15314 X 9/1942 Wilson 55288 6/ 1948 Hallock 55288 4/1950 Timm 55-304 X 12/1955 Dow 55-304 11/1956 Osborn 55304 3/ 1958 Wright. 1/1965 Stevens 55419 X FOREIGN PATENTS 10/ 1945 France. 12/1948 Great Britain. 7/ 1964 Great Britain. 2/ 1942 Switzerland. 9/ 1942 Switzerland.

HARRY B. THORNTON, Primary Examiner.

D. TALBERT, Assistant Examiner.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3 ,320 ,725 May 23 1967 James R. Foster It is hereby certified that error appears in the above numbered patent requiring correction and that the said Letters Patent should read as corrected below.

In the drawings, Fig. 1 should include a conduit portion or duct 27 extending horizontally from the tank 12 on the same plane as inlet 26 but spaced therefrom, as described in the specification at column 2, lines 18 to 25.

Signed and sealed this 27th day of August 1968.

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD J. BRENNER Edward M. Fletcher, Jr.

Commissioner of Patents Attesting Officer 

1. IN A FIXEDLY POSITIONED VACUUM CLEANING APPARATUS ADAPTED TO BE CONNECTED TO CONDUITS TO DIFFERENT AREAS OF A BUILDING AND SAID APPARATUS INCLUDING A VACUUM PRESSURE MECHANISM FOR DRAWING DIRT AND DUST INTO A RECEPTACLE AND A FILTER BAG ASSOCIATED WITH SAID RECEPTACLE, THE COMBINATION THEREWITH OF: AN ELECTRIC CIRCUIT, AN ELECTRIC MOTOR IN SAID CIRCUIT TO OPERATE SAID VACUUM PRESSURE MECHANISM, AN ELECTRICALLY OPERABLE VIBRATOR ATTACHED SOLELY TO SAID BAG, THE ACTUATION AND DEACTUATION OF SAID VACUUM PRESSURE MECHANISM ACTING RESPECTIVELY TO INFLATE AND DEFLATE SAID BAG WHEREBY SAID VIBRATOR MOVES WITH SAID BAG DURING INFLATION AND DEFLATION, A FIRST SWITCH FOR OPENING AND CLOSING SAID CIRCUIT TO SAID ELECTRIC MOTOR, A TIME SWITCH CONNECTED TO SAID VIBRATOR, A SECOND SWITCH IN SAID CIRCUIT OPERATIVELY CONNECTED TO SAID TIME SWITCH AND SAID FIRST SWITCH, MEANS CAUSING THE OPENING OF SAID FIRST SWITCH TO ACT ON SAID SECOND SWITCH FOR CLOSING SAID CIRCUIT TO SAID VIBRATOR THROUGH SAID TIME SWITCH, AND SAID TIME SWITCH ACTING AFTER A SELECTED PREDETERMINED TIME INTERVAL TO OPEN THE CIRCUIT TO SAID VIBRATOR. 